The BEST homemade french bread recipe made in just 90 minutes! So easy to make and comes out golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and chewy on the inside.
Homemade bread is one of my favorite things to make. It can seem a bit intimidating at first, but this easy french bread recipe is a great place to start. It has a quick rising time and takes only 90 minutes from start to finish. If you’re a beginner to bread baking, make sure to check out my 3 ingredient artisan bread and my 45-minute breadsticks. Both are so simple along with my favorite dinner rolls and french bread rolls!
Easiest French Bread Recipe
If you’re looking for an easy french bread recipe, this is it! You’ll have 2 beautiful loaves in 90 minutes. The actual time you’ll be working will only be about 15 minutes, the rest of the time will be patiently waiting for the dough to rest/rise. This homemade french bread is golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and slightly chewy on the inside. We love to serve it with a bowl of warm soup and the first time I made it, my husband said “this bread is SO good, where did you get it?” He thought I picked it up from our local bakery. It is just that good and really so easy to make. You’ll never want to buy store bought french bread again.
I absolutely love making bread and rolls of all kinds. There’s something so satisfying about making them in your own kitchen. The smell is unbelievable. We love to serve this homemade french bread with softened butter, honey and/or jam. So so good. Trust me when I say, this is the best french bread recipe!
How To Make Homemade French Bread
- Proof the yeast. In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until it has begin to foam.
- Mix and let rest. Place 2 cups of flour into a large mixing bowl with the salt. Stir in the yeast mixture and begin to knead by hand or using a dough hook and stand mixer. Add 1/2 cup of the remaining flour at a time until the dough is smooth but not sticky. Rub the olive oil around the dough ball and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Shape and let rise again. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and divide it in half. Roll one half into a rectangle. Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a cylinder. Turn both ends in and pinch the seams closed. Round the edges and place onto a baking sheet. Repeat with the second dough ball. Let rise for 30-45 minutes. Make three diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf.
- Bake in oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Brush the top of the homemade french bread with melted butter if desired. Slice and enjoy! :)
Baking Tips
- The key to the perfect consistency is to knead in flour a little at a time, until the dough becomes soft and not sticky.
- If using a bread dough hook to knead the dough, knead the last couple of minutes by hand.
- Let the dough rest a minute during the mixing process (this allows the gluten to relax).
- Let the dough rise in a warm spot by the window or on top of the stove.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and then press down with your finger tips to remove any air pockets.
- Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough and any extra bubbles.
- Roll the dough into a loaf and then make sure to tuck the ends under and pinch all the seams together tightly to create a nice seal.
- For a crispier/shinier crust, brush on egg wash (1 egg white (whisked) with a teaspoon of water) before baking.
- For a softer and more flavorful crust, brush with melted butter right when it comes out of the oven.
Favorite Ways To Enjoy
- Top with butter, garlic herb butter, honey, cinnamon butter, jam or apple butter
- Use it to make classic bruschetta or bruschetta caprese
- Serve with all types of soup, like lasagna soup, corn chowder and hearty vegetable soup
- My family loves to make french bread pizza, stuffed french bread or garlic bread
- We also like to make spaghetti boats using leftovers of my easy spaghetti recipe.
- Make a french dip sandwich
- Once it’s a few days old, make french bread french toast, bread pudding or croutons
- Cut into cubes and serve with this cold Knorr spinach dip.
Freezer Instructions
Since this recipe makes two loaves, sometimes we freeze one of them for later. To freeze, wrap the bread tightly in foil or saran wrap (make sure it has cooled completely). Then place in a zip top bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
More Homemade Bread Recipes To Try:
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Homemade French Bread Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water , about 105°F
- 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar
- 5 cups (650 g) all-purpose flour , more as needed
- 2 ½ teaspoons table salt or fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Melted salted butter , optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes, or until it begins to foam.
- In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl, stir together 2 cups flour and salt. Stir in the yeast mixture on medium-low speed or by hand. Knead in 1/2 cup of the remaining flour in increments until the dough is smooth but not sticky (depending on climate you could use more or less than 5 cups). Add more flour as needed.
- Rub the olive oil around the dough ball, cover the bowl with a towel and let rest 15 to 30 minutes. If you have more time, let rise up to 1 hour.
- Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and divide it in half. Set one half aside. Roll the other half into a rectangle (about 15 inches). Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a cylinder.
- Turn both ends in and pinch the seams closed. Round the edges and place onto a baking sheet. Repeat with the second dough ball. Make three diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf. Cover loaves lightly with a towel. Let rise 30 to 60 minutes (the longer the better, if you have the time).
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Bake 17 to 23 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. When you knock on it, it should sound hollow. If it's browning too fast, lightly cover with foil and lower the temperature to 375°F.
- Brush the top with melted butter, if desired. Slice and serve while warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
This was absolutely delicious!! I added everything bagel seasoning on top of one loaf. Make this bread now!!,
Sounds delicious!
This recipe makes it so easy and fast to have delicious, fresh bread on the table for dinner! It’s a great gift to take a new neighbor or a friend who needs some extra love.
Fabulous super quick very tasty bread. I added a little sourdough starter and some ancient grain wheat for depth of flavor.
Sounds delicious! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
No fail recipe! Works ever time and has excellent flavor and texture.
Excellent flour to water ratio but bland; I tried it again with more SALT (I like salt) and I replaced a small amount of the white flour with a tiny bit less of WHOLE WHEAT flour (whole wheat is fluffier than white) [and added a drop or two of truffle oil for a subtle boost in umami) and it was fabulous. It freezes and reheats in the toaster oven beautifully.
very easy peasy, fantastic recipe and the bread turn out great ! thanks for making life just a bit brighter with warm bread, fresh from the oven :))
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Try this recipe!! I have 2 autistic “adult” kids in addition to my other 5 family members. We have a hard time finding recipes that EVERYONE will eat. This is an amazing recipe. It is easy and fast. The texture and taste was shocking. It was way better than store bought. We have already decided to play with it a little and add garlic and parmesan and other options. Thank you.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The addition of garlic and parmesan would be delicious! :)
I give it a 10
I made this and it was so delicious! The one half I made plain and the other I made a garlic roll, absolutely lovely!
Sounds delicious! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I made this before and the result were 2 long baguettes. This time they turned out more like french loaves, more wider.
This recipe is really easy to follow and makes two beautiful loaves! This was my first time making bread and it was super easy with these instructions and pictures. I used bread flour, I wasn’t sure if all-purpose or bread would be better, but the texture was perfect! Might freeze one of the leaves
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I typically use all purpose flour in this recipe, but both work!
Absolutely excellent!! I have now just now made this my 4th time and it is just wonderful – thank you!
I’m so happy to hear you have enjoyed it! :)
Not only is it great the day of, but toasted it contains a warm, chewy inside well into the fourth or fifth day. I use half the recipe and make one loaf at a time because I’m a widower.
Sounds delicious!!
Made this recipe many times and love it!
I’m so glad to hear you love it!
Super easy! Personally I feel like I should have used about 4 to 5 cups versus the 5 to 6 on the recipe. Regardless, turned out great! Beautiful!
Easiest bread to make with kiddos!! Not much wait time for rising ❤️
Thanks for the recipe. I am a foods teacher, and this recipe is so much easier than the one in the professional baking book that I am asked to use. Great finish, easy to work with. The only thing that I did differently was preheat the oven with a baking tray on the bottom shelf and when the loaves went in, I added water to the pan to create some steam in the oven. Overall, it was fantastic. I will be using this with the kids when they are back at school. I have given you credit on the recipe, as it is yours or at least I found it on your website. Thanks again. Stay Safe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your comment and review Brad. :)
Just came out of the oven!! Nothing better than a slice of still warm homemade bread… with butter of course!! Five stars for this one!! And super easy!! Yummy! 😋
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Warm homemade bread is definitely the best!